One of the greatest Scriptures on commitment in the Bible are the words of Ruth to Naomi: ‘Entreat me not to leave you, or to turn back from following after you; for wherever you go, I will go; and wherever you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God, my God.’ Why are we afraid to commit to a relationship?

1) Fear of losing control: ‘Why forgo my independence?’

2) Fear of lack: ‘What if he or she ruins my finances?’

3) Fear of inadequacy: ‘What if I can’t meet his or her expectations?’

4) Fear of loneliness: ‘What if he or she deserts me?’

5) Fear of pain: ‘I’ve been hurt before, and I don’t want to be hurt again.’

So, what do you do? Today the answer has become a ‘common law marriage’, but this isn't God's way. Living together without marriage is like renting a room versus buying a house. If a repair is necessary for the rented room, the renter is apt to abandon the room for another. If a repair is necessary for their home, the owners (who should have put much consideration and prayer into the decision to purchase) make the required commitment to protect their investment.

A study on cohabitation found that nearly 19 per cent of couples who lived together before their engagement had suggested divorce during their marriage. In couples who did not live together first, the figure was just over 10 per cent. Contrary to what you may think, those who play around and move from relationship to relationship don’t experience lasting happiness. Whereas, those who commit themselves to God and to one another experience true and lasting happiness.